Length Tension Testing Book 2, Upper Quadrant

Paolo Sanzo, Murray MacHutchon

• Publisher: Brush Education
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9781550595994
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Length Tension Testing Book 2, Upper Quadrant provides clear and comprehensive descriptions and illustrations for assessing flexibility and length tension in the muscles of the upper quadrant. It includes techniques for the cervical spine, temporomandibular joint, thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, and wrist and hand.

Each technique listing includes concise, standardized descriptions of the actions and positions involved, high-quality colour photos and alternative positions to accommodate patient variability and comfort. Most of these tests can be adapted into treatment techniques. This resource will help physiotherapists, kinesiologists, chiropractors, and massage therapists improve patient care, and it will be an invaluable reference for students at the college and university level.

Also available: Length Tension Testing Book 1, Lower Quadrant.

The Cervical Spine

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Trapezius—Upper Fibers

Technique 1

Technique described for the right trapezius muscle.

Patient: Positioned in supine lying with the arms resting by the side and the knees flexed.

Therapist: Standing at the head of the bed.

Action: Support the posterior aspect of the patient’s head with both hands and then passively flex the craniovertebral joint. Your right hand stabilizes the lateral one-third of the patient’s right clavicle and acromion while palpating the muscle. Using your left hand, gently and slowly flex, left-side flex and right rotate the mid and lower cervical spine. Both the stabilizing hand and the hand moving the body part sense the tension in the muscle and barrier. Assess the amount of range and the end feel and note the reproduction of any symptoms. Repeat this test on the contralateral side and compare the two results.

Note also the reproduction of any dural symptoms. To differentiate between neuromeningeal tissue and the patient’s muscle, add various sensitizing movements of the upper extremities and note any change in the amount of range, the end feel and the symptoms produced.

Trapezius—Upper Fibers

Technique 2

Technique described for the right trapezius muscle.

Patient: Positioned in sitting.

Therapist: Standing behind the patient.

Action: The patient actively flexes their craniovertebral joint. Use your right hand to stabilize the lateral one-third of the patient’s right clavicle and acromion while palpating the muscle. Using your left hand, passively flex, left-side flex and right rotate the mid and lower cervical spine. Both the stabilizing hand and the hand moving the body part sense the tension in the muscle and barrier. Assess the amount of range and the end feel and note the reproduction of any symptoms. Repeat this test on the contralateral side and compare the two results.

Note also the reproduction of any dural symptoms. To differentiate between neuromeningeal tissue and the patient’s muscle, add various sensitizing movements of the upper extremities and note any change in the amount of range, the end feel and the symptoms produced.

Trapezius—Middle Fibers

Technique 1

Technique described for the right trapezius muscle.

Patient: Positioned in prone lying with the arms resting by their side and the neck resting in right rotation.

Therapist: Standing on the left side of the bed.

Action: Stabilize the left transverse processes of T1 to T5 with the palmar aspect of your left hand. Employing a cross-hand technique, use your right hand to depress and protract the lateral aspect of the patient’s right scapula. Both the stabilizing hand and the hand moving the body part sense the tension in the muscle and barrier. Assess the amount of range and the end feel and note the reproduction of any symptoms. Repeat this test on the contralateral side and compare the two results.

Trapezius—Middle Fibers

Technique 2

Technique described for the right trapezius muscle.

Patient: Positioned in left side lying with a pillow between the knees.

Therapist: Standing on the left side of the bed, facing the patient.

Action: Grasp the inferior aspect of the medial and lateral border of the patient’s right scapula with your left hand and the superior aspect of the medial and lateral border of their right scapula with your right hand. Depress and protract the patient’s right scapula. Both the stabilizing hand and the hand moving the body part sense the tension in the muscle and barrier. Assess the amount of range and the end feel and note the reproduction of any symptoms. Repeat this test on the contralateral side and compare the two results.

Trapezius—Lower Fibers

Technique 1

Technique described for the right trapezius muscle.

Patient: Positioned in prone lying with the arms resting by their side and the neck resting in right rotation.

Therapist: Standing on the left side of the bed.

Action: Stabilize the left transverse processes of T6 to T12 with the palmar aspect of your left hand. Employing a cross-hand technique, use your right hand to elevate, protract and downwardly rotate the patient’s right scapula so that the glenoid faces inferiorly. Both the stabilizing hand and the hand moving the body part sense the tension in the muscle and barrier. Assess the amount of range and the end feel and note the reproduction of any symptoms. Repeat this test on the contralateral side and compare the two results.

Trapezius—Lower Fibers

Technique 2

Technique described for the right trapezius muscle.

Patient: Positioned in left side lying with a pillow between the knees.

Therapist: Standing on the left side of the bed, facing the patient.

Action: Grasp the inferior aspect of the medial and lateral border of the patient’s right scapula with your left hand and the superior aspect of the medial and lateral border of their right scapula with your right hand. Elevate, protract and downwardly rotate the patient’s right scapula so that the glenoid faces inferiorly. Both the stabilizing hand and the hand moving the body part sense the tension in the muscle and barrier. Assess the amount of range and the end feel and note the reproduction of any symptoms. Repeat this test on the contralateral side and compare the two results.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Technique 1

Technique described for the right rectus capitis posterior major muscle.

Patient: Positioned in supine lyin...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• Introduction
• The Cervical Spine
• The Temporomandibular Joint
• The Thoracic Spine
• The Shoulder
• The Elbow
• The Wrist and Hand
• References
• About the Authors